His decision to opt for a laid-back look on the renowned Scottish course during practice rounds was the result of a wager he made with YouTuber Grant Horvat. After featuring in a video with the internet celebrity, he agreed to don joggers at The Open if he lost a match against the viral sensation on the channel.
Entering the match at Rancho Santa Fe, California with a five-shot lead, the content creator managed to secure an unexpected win over Mickelson. True to his word, Mickelson's outfit at Royal Troon mirrored his defeat to the social media star.
Following his loss to Horvat, the golfer affectionately known as 'Lefty' took it in stride and even found humor in the situation. He tweeted: "As an unfashionable 54 year old, I never thought I could pull off wearing joggers. Guess I was wrong. Thank you @GrantHorvatGolf. We both won."
In the video, which amassed over a million views, Mickelson confessed his concerns about wearing joggers at the Open due to his age, remarking: "Wow. I'm not sure I could pull that off. Were joggers meant for 54-year-olds? ", reports the Mirror .
Golf aficionados showered Phil Mickelson with praise after he kept his promise to Horvat, rocking joggers on the green. One fan expressed, "Never too old for joggers on the course. If you're not wearing shorts, joggers are easily the best option, regardless of age."
Another supporter chimed in, playfully questioning the look but cheering him on: "Are you sure you're pulling it off? ? Just kidding, Phil! Go win another one for us old guys! " A third fan suggested Mickelson's trendsetting potential, commenting, "You're Phil Mickelson. You could accidentally start a fashion trend whatever you're wearing."
Yet, not everyone was sold on the iconic golfer's attire. Some skeptics voiced their doubts, with one stating, "Sorry Phil, but what's the benefit of wearing joggers? I can understand a windy day on the practice green scenario, but the rest is lost on me? " Another critique was sharper, saying: "They look horrendous, but not as horrendous as I imagined they would."
The 54-year-old clinched his last victory at the event in 2013, marking his fifth major win in an exciting finish at Muirfield. Sharing his strategy with Golf Digest, an upbeat Mickelson revealed, "This week I'm actually trying to do a lot of the things I did to prepare in 2016. I'm getting ready to hit in a lot of slice-winds. I've worked a lot on hitting draws back into that breeze, which is exactly what I did eight years ago.
"I'm having a lot of fun right now. I'm making progress. And this is a course that allows my game to flourish. I really don't feel I have anything to prove. Regardless of what people might be saying about me, I have a love of playing golf. I love to compete and contend. That's why I'm working hard. Being a part of these major championships means a lot to me."
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